Ludwig Kort (1888–1958
) was a German
fluid dynamics known for developing the
ducted propeller, or Kort nozzle. In an attempt to reduce canal
erosion, Kort discovered that directing the wake of a propeller through a short, stationary
nozzle also increased
thrust.
He submitted a U.S. patent for this technique, which was awarded in 1936.
His research showed that the performance of ducted propellers heavily depended on the cross-section and thickness of the duct.
